Multipurpose furniture structure

ABSTRACT

A bed accessory is made to resemble a house (FIG.  1 ) or castle (FIG.  3 ). It is composed of structure that forms a bed-receiving opening ( 36, 36 ′) adjacent to a storage space that is divided into compartments. A front compartment includes shelves ( 60, 62 ). A storage space behind the front compartment is divided into an upper compartment above a shelf ( 70, 70 ′) and a lower compartment below the shelf ( 70, 70 ′). Sidewall ( 12, 12 ′) is provided with an access opening ( 72, 72 ′) for a lower compartment. A middle wall ( 14, 14 ′) is provided with an access opening or window ( 70, 70 ′) into the compartment above the shelf ( 68, 68 ′). An elevated platform ( 24, 24 ′) above the bed and storage spaces provides a base for a second bed, a play area, or a storage space. Sidewall ( 12, 12 ′) includes openings ( 72, 72′, 76, 76 ′) define ladder rungs usable by a person to climb up into or down from the elevated platform ( 24, 24 ′).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the provision of a multipurpose furniture structure. More particularly, it relates to the provision of a decorative bed accessory that provides storage space adjacent the bed. It further relates to bedroom furniture that has the appearance of a building, e.g. a house, a castle, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to combine beds and storage cabinets into a single structure. Examples of these structures in the patent literature are shown by the following U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,253, granted Jan. 7, 1975, to Adrian A. Lauzon; U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,204, granted Mar. 3, 1981, to Makoto Tasaka; No. Des. 277,433, granted Feb. 5, 1985, to James R. Hull; No. Des. 403,525, granted Jan. 5, 1999, to S. Paul Zaidman; U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,597, granted May 29, 1984, to James R. Hull; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,969, granted Apr. 20, 2004, to Anthony C. Lupo and Brian L. Smith. These patents show combining together one or two beds with other pieces of furniture that are typically found in a bedroom.

A principal object of the present invention is provide an improved combined furniture structures and to combine with the various functions of the structure, the appearance of a house or a castle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multipurpose furniture structure embodying the invention is basically characterized by a storage unit along side of an opening which receives an end portion of a bed, preferably the head end portion. An elevated platform is provided over the bed and the storage sections of the structure. One aspect of the invention is to provide the structure with a facade that simulates the appearance of a house or a castle.

The present invention includes providing a multipurpose furniture structure that includes an elevated platform that may serve as a bed, a play area for children, or a storage area. The structure may include an end wall that includes openings that are constructed and arranged to be the rungs of a ladder usable by a person for climbing up into or down from the elevated platform.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a storage space along side of a bed space and make the storage space assessable from the bed space by providing an access opening in a wall that is between the storage space and the bed space.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the furniture structure is provided with an elevated front barrier having a top portion resembling a house roof. A storage region along side of the bed region is provided with a top portion resembling a dormer roof. The roof like top portions and a simulated window in the elevated front barrier provide the structure with the appearance of a house.

In another embodiment, the structure is provided with a facade that gives it castle-like appearance.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view taken from above and looking towards the top, one end and the front of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorial view of the structure shown by FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 1 but of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded pictorial view of the structure shown by FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown by FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the structure shown by FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7 but of the structure shown by FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The structure shown by FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a first sidewall 10, a second sidewall 12 spaced from the first sidewall 10, and a middle wall 14 that is positioned between sidewall 10 and sidewall 12. The lower ends of the walls 10, 12, 14 rest on the floor or other supporting surface. Sidewalls 10, 12, 14 extend vertically upwardly from the supporting surface in parallel with each other. Sidewalls 10, 12 may be substantially equal in height. Middle wall 14 has a lowered upper edge 16 and a forward strip 18 that extends upwardly to about the same height as the sidewalls 10, 12. Support boards 20, 22 are provided on the inner sides of the sidewalls 10, 12 at about the same height as the upper edge 16. A rectangular platform 24 sits down on the edge 16 and the support boards 20, 22. Thus, the elevated platform 24 extends from the sidewall 10 to the sidewall 12 and over the reduced height portion of the middle wall 14. At the rear of the structure, an elevated closure extends upwardly from the elevated platform 24 and has an upper edge 28 that is substantially equal in height to the upper edge 30 on the sidewall 10 and the upper edge 32, 34 on the sidewall 12. On the left side of the structure, as pictured in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sidewall 10, the middle wall 14 and the elevated platform 24 form a space or nook in which the head end portion of a bed frame is received. Actually, either end of the bed frame may extend into the space, with the opposite end portion projecting outwardly from the space. The space 36 may be wide enough to receive a twin-size bed, a full-size bed, a queen-size or a king-size bed. Support brackets 38, 40 may be provided on the walls 10, 14 at the level of the support board 20 and the support edge 16. The support brackets 38, 40 both support and brace the elevated platform 24 and provide a decorative appearance for the structure. When a bed frame, box springs and mattress are positioned in the space 36, there is ample vertical clearance between the top of the mattress and the forward edge of the elevated platform 24 (the top of the opening 36), to enable the occupant or occupants of the bed to climb into the bed.

An elevated front barrier 42 extends along the front edge of the elevated platform 24. As shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the elevated barriers 26, 42 extend from sidewall 10 to sidewall 12 and at their ends are connected to the sidewalls 10, 12. The structure shown by FIGS. 1 and 2 provides the bed assembly with the appearance of a house, e.g. a “doll house.” To provide this appearance, the elevated front barrier 42 has hipped upper edge comprising side portions 44, 46 which meet at an apex 48. Roof panels 50, 52 are provided on the opposite sides of the apex 48. Roof panel 50 may have an L-shape, formed by a lower portion that extends across the full width of sidewall 10 and a narrow side portion that continues up along edge 44 to the apex 48. Panel 52 may also have a L-shape formed by a lower portion that extends along edge 32 and a rising portion that extends along edge 46 to the apex 48. The lower portion of roof panel 52 projects forwardly from elevated barrier 42 and pass the forward end of edge 32. A smaller panel 54 is provided to form with the extended lower portion of panel 52 a hipped roof section that is atop a tier of storage shelves provided between sidewall 12 and middle wall 14 at the front of the structure. FIG. 6 shows a stop block 53 connected to the lower surface of roof panel 52. One or more similar blocks may be connected to the under surface of roof panel 50. When the roof panels 50, 52 are installed on the lower structure, the stop blocks 53 are in a position where they abut the adjacent end wall 10, 10′, 12, 12′.

A bed B is shown in FIG. 7. The head end of the bed is within the nook 36, 36′. Portion of the bed B that is in the nook 36, 36′ is preferably slightly narrower than the width of the nook 36, 36′. FIG. 7 shows that a major portion of the bed projects endwise outwardly from the nook 36, 36′.

The middle wall 14 divides the space between the sidewalls 10, 12 into a bed compartment 36 and a storage space. A first vertical panel 56 is provided at the rear of the storage space. Panel 56 extends between the rear edges of walls 12, 14. A vertical front panel 58 divides the storage space into a front portion and a rear portion. Panel 58 extends between the walls 12, 14. A tier of shelves 60, 62 is located in a forward portion of the storage space, forwardly of the panel 58. The shelves 60, 62 extend between the forward portions of the sidewalls 12, 14. A decorative frame 64 is provided at the front of the tier of shelves 60, 62. Frame 64 is connected to forward edges of sidewalls 12, 14. Frame 64 includes a hipped section 66 at its top to which the previously described roof sections 52, 54 are attached. The shelves 60 below support edge 16 are wider than the shelves 62 above the support edge 16. This is because the shelves 62 have a width equal to the distance between the front of barrier 42 and the rear of the frame 62. Panel 58 is positioned inwardly from the plane of barrier 42 and so there is a deeper space for the shelves 60.

The rear portion of the storage space, defined in one direction between panels 56, 58 and in a perpendicular direction between walls 12, 14 is provided with a shelf 68. Shelf 68 is positioned above the floor level so that there is storage space both above and below it. Shelf 68 is secured to panels 56, 58, or to walls 12, 14, or to all four members 56, 58, 12, 14. A window 70 is provided in middle wall 14 to serve as an access opening for the storage space above shelf 68. This window 70 allows a person in the bed to have access to the shelf 68. Accordingly, shelf 68 may serve as a nightstand for the bed.

Preferably, wall 12 includes a window 72 for providing access to the storage space below shelf 68. In addition to window 72, sidewall 12 includes an upper axis opening 74 and a series of openings 76 between window 72 and access opening 74. The openings 72, 76 are positioned so that their lower edges form a ladder to be used by a person for climbing up onto or down from the elevated platform 24. Hand openings 78 may be formed in the upper portion of sidewall 12 on opposite sides of the access opening 74. These openings 78 can be used as handles by the person who is climbing up into or down from the elevated platform.

Elevated platform 24 may serve as a base for a second bed. Slats 80 may be provided on a platform 24 and a mattress may be set down on the slats 80. It is within the scope of the invention to make platform 24 invertible. The lower side of platform 24 may be smooth and planar. Its inversion causes the slats 80 to be directed downwardly and places the smooth side upwardly. This enables the space above the platform 24 to be used as a play area or as a storage area. Windows 82, 84 may be formed in the front barrier 42. Windows 86 may be formed in the rear barrier 26. Also, a window 88 may be formed in sidewall 10. These windows 82, 84, 86, 88 help give the structure the appearance of a house. Trim strips 90, 92 may be provided below the roof sections 50, 52, also to help give the structure the appearance of a house.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same basic structure but with a different facade so that the structure has the appearance of a castle. In place of a hipped roof, the upper regions of the vertical members are configured to give the appearance of battlements formed by merlons 100 and crenels 102. Sidewall 10′ and barriers 26′, 42′ are provided with openings 104, 106 that simulate window openings of the type found in castles. As a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4 will show, a most all other respect the two embodiments are basically the same. In FIGS. 3 and 4, prime numerals are used to designate the parts that are common with parts in the first embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, the sidewalls are designated 10, 12 and the middle wall is designated 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the sidewalls are designated 10′, 12′ and the middle wall is designated 14′. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the bed space is designated 36. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the bed space is designated 36′.

In both embodiments, the various pieces are connected together by use of conventional fasteners. For example, a combination of dowels and cam nuts can be used at some of the corners where perpendicular members meet and are connected. By way of further example, internally threaded anchors may be inserted into the edges of a first member and which are adapted to receive a screw fastener that extends through an opening in a second member and screws into the anchor.

The bed accessory of this invention may be constructed to resemble a wide variety of building structures, including a log cabin, a tiki hut, a candy shop, an ice cream parlor, a zoo cage, a fort, a church, etc.

The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials, appearance and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described herein. Rather, they are to be determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A multipurpose furniture structure, comprising: a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced from said first sidewall, and a middle wall positioned between the first and second sidewalls; said first sidewall and said middle wall defining a space between them, and said middle wall and said second side wall defining a space between them; a partition wall extending between the middle wall and the second sidewall, and dividing the space between the middle wall and the second sidewall into a first region forwardly of the partition and a second region rearwardly of the partition wall; a back wall spaced from the partition wall; said back wall and said partition wall defining a space between them; a shelf extending between the back wall and the partition wall and between the middle wall on the second sidewall; an opening in the middle wall above the shelf, providing access to the shelf from the space between the first wall and the middle wall; a tier of shelves forwardly of the partition wall, said shelves extending between the middle wall and the second sidewall; an elevated platform extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and over the middle wall; said second sidewall including a plurality of openings having lower edges which form ladder rungs usable by a person for climbing up and down to and from the elevated platform; an elevated front barrier at the front of the elevated platform extending between an upper portion of the first sidewall and an upper portion of the second sidewall; and an elevated rear barrier at the rear of the elevated platform extending between said upper portion of the first sidewall and the upper portion of the second sidewall.
 2. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 1, wherein the second sidewall includes an access opening above the elevated platform, providing access to the platform from the ladder formed in the second sidewall.
 3. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 1, wherein the second sidewall includes an opening below the shelf, said opening providing access to a space that is below the shelf.
 4. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 3, wherein the access opening in the second sidewall has a lower edge that forms a rung of said ladder.
 5. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 1, wherein the space defined by and between the first sidewall and the middle wall is sized to receive an end portion of a bed.
 6. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 5, wherein the first sidewall, the middle wall and the elevated platform each have a width that is shorter than the length of a bed that is fitable endwise into the space between the first sidewall and the middle wall.
 7. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 1, wherein the elevated platform is sized to receive a mattress, so that the elevated platform and the mattress will form an elevated bed.
 8. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 1, wherein the elevated front barrier has a top portion resembling a house roof and the tier of shelves has a top portion resembling a dormer roof, and the elevated front barrier includes a simulated window above the space that is defined by and between the first sidewall and the middle wall, such roof and window features providing the structure with the appearance of a house.
 9. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 1, wherein the tier of shelves is provided with a top, and said top and the elevated front barrier provide the structure with a castle-like appearance.
 10. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 8, wherein the spaced define by and between the first sidewall and the middle wall is sized to receive an end portion of a bed.
 11. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 8, wherein the first sidewall, the middle wall and the elevated platform each have a width that is shorter than the length of a bed that is fitable endwise into the space between the first sidewall and the middle wall.
 12. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 8, wherein the elevated platform is sized to receive a mattress, so that the elevated platform and the mattress will form an elevated bed.
 13. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 9, wherein the spaced define by and between the first sidewall and the middle wall is sized to receive an end portion of a bed.
 14. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 9, wherein the first sidewall, the middle wall and the elevated platform each have a width that is shorter than the length of a bed that is fitable endwise into the space between the first sidewall and the middle wall.
 15. The multipurpose furniture structure of claim 9, wherein the elevated platform is sized to receive a mattress, so that the elevated platform and the mattress will form an elevated bed. 